Jewel cichlid not eating

[Jakec96]

I have a turquoise jewel cichlid with a sunken belly and he doesn't seem to be eating. Whenever I feed the rank he comes to the top and it looks like he's about to take a pellet but he ends up just tapping it with his mouth and swims away. He then makes like he is chewing something when he isn't. I'm really worried about him, maybe he's having a hard time opening his mouth? I really don't know what to do about it here's a pic of what he looks like. I can't see anything wrong with the way he looks besides for his belly being a bit sunken in.

 

[Imsobored152]

what are you trying to feed?

 

[Jakec96]

what are you trying to feed?

Hikari cichlid pellets size medium, he never had an issue with them b4 he always loved them. I then tried to feed brine shrimp which is a lot smaller and easier to take down and he still had a very hard time. It looks like he wants to eat but cant, I was thinking maybe it's flukes in his gills,but I'm not noticing a loss in color or extra slime

 

[Imsobored152]

oh so its not a new fish. for a while my bleekeri would only eat blood worms. Could try some freeze dried blood worms. Unfortunately I dont know enough about them to be of any help, I just figured we could fill in a few blanks for someone more experienced.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

Try an epsom salt bath or just treat the whole tank with epsom salts

 

[Jakec96]

Try an epsom salt bath or just treat the whole tank with epsom salts

How do I do an Epsom salt bath and if I treat the whole tank how much salt do I put per gallon?